Retrovirus Linked to ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)

Karen Lee Richards Living With It Co-Founder of the National Fibromyalgia Assn. Karen Lee Richards’ career as a writer and patient advocate grew... Send Message Subscribe: Karen Lee Richards

Thursday, October 08, 2009
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Scientists have discovered a potential retroviral link to ME/CFS (also known as chronic fatigue syndrome), a debilitating disease that affects more than a million people in the United States. This is big news for the ME/CFS community. Researchers from the Whittemore Peterson Institute, located ...

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ME/retrovirus
Anonymous
Friday, October 09, 2009 at 07:23 AM
Wait until this is reproduced by other labs before getting excited.Many previous false dawns

re: ME/retrovirus
Martha
Friday, October 09, 2009 at 03:08 PM

I am excited despite the truth that there are "many false dawns". Every time scientific researchers uncover information like this, it validates CFS as a legitmate disease and moves us away from those medical practitioners who have labeled CFS sufferers as hypochondriacs.

Information is power and hope is often what gets us out of bed in the morning!

re: re: ME/retrovirus
Anonymous
Friday, October 09, 2009 at 04:18 PM

"information like this"

still requires confirmation by other laboratories before it can be considered to validate CFS as a disease rather than a collection of symptoms.
I suffer from CFS and would be delighted if a cause was found, but with my scientific training I remain sceptical until there is independent verification of this finding.

re: re: re: ME/retrovirus
Martha
Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 08:52 PM

Duly noted. You make an important and valid point.

Thanks!

Martha

MNRA and ME/CFS
Diana
Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 10:05 PM

After living with this illness for 23 years, and dealing with the same problems as others who have to fight off the disbelievers, it is nice to see a study that is already looking like there is enough interest to have it reviewed and retested very soon, for the Major Medical communitty. With tears in my eyes, I hope this is the case for those who have suffered with ME/CFS/FM for years. Diana

Fibromyalgia
invyzabul
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 11:32 AM

I have been hoping to see that FMS was included in this. The pain and symptoms of FMS are just as real and miserable as ME/CFS. I have been treated like a hypochondriac by several doctors. Even as I sit here typing my hips, legs. hands. back, neck are aching ( even after taking Lyrica ). It would be nice for science to validate FMS as well. IF that is what I really have. My doctor said lupus, then after one test said....its fibromyalgia. All I know is that it effects my whole day and night. I am hoping these findings will help us as well.

re: Fibromyalgia
1098765
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 05:46 AM

FMS/ME/CFS all the same condition. I have been living with this condition 12 years and hope this will start giving us some answers thus some relief.